crustose

American  

[kruhs-tohs] / ˈkrʌs toʊs /

adjective

Botany, Mycology.

1. forming a crusty, tenaciously fixed mass that covers the surface on which it grows, as certain lichens.

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crustose British  

/ ˈkrʌstəʊs /

adjective

1. biology having a crustlike appearance

   crustose lichens

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Etymology

Origin of crustose

1875–80; < Latin crustōsus covered with a crust, equivalent to crust ( a ) crust + -ōsus -ose ¹

Example Sentences

They found that the disease not only reduces susceptible coral populations but also diminishes crustose coralline algae, the resilient pink crust that is crucial for building reef structure.

From Science Daily • May 3, 2024

“Then the magic really happens,” she said, “to reveal patterns, variations in color and some crustose types that are otherwise hidden.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 22, 2021

“More likely you are looking at a crustose coralline alga.”

From Nature • Aug. 30, 2016

On shaded sandstone, intermingled with an ash-gray, crustose thallus, which appeared like a sterile Pertusaria.

From Ohio Biological Survey, Bull. 10, Vol. 11, No. 6 The Ascomycetes of Ohio IV and V by Hilker, Leafy Jane Corrington

In structure, the thallus is crustose, and the thalli vary from inconspicuous, evanescent conditions to those which are conspicuous and sometimes even subsquamulous.

From Ohio Biological Survey, Bull. 10, Vol. 11, No. 6 The Ascomycetes of Ohio IV and V by Hilker, Leafy Jane Corrington